Telephysiotherapy trial proves a success
Video: The Top Up study shows telehealth is an option for rural and remote aged care providers unable to access local allied health professionals.
A study investigating the use of telehealth to increase residential and home aged care recipients’ access to physiotherapists has improved participants’ mobility and quality of life while reducing their falls and pain.
Dr Rik Dawson – a post-doctoral researcher from the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Sydney and president elect of the Australian Physiotherapy Association – conducted the Top Up study as part of his PhD.
The six-month study – which was funded by an Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia grant – involved residential and home aged care recipients receiving seven Zoom physiotherapy sessions and access to online resources to support a progressive, standing, strength and balance program prescribed by physiotherapists.
Dr Dawson presented the findings at the Australian Association of Gerontology Conference in Hobart this month.
“Number one, we showed that telephysiotherapy in aged care is safe, and importantly, that participants actually liked using telehealth,” Dr Dawson tells Australian Ageing Agenda.
Speaking with AAA at the airport on the final day of the conference, Dr Dawson explains the study, its key findings, and takeaways and tips for aged care providers:
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